Carbohydrates which include sugars and starches are the primary energy sources produced in plants and used by heterotrophic organisms.
Carbohydrates are composed of a basic chemical formula that typically contains a ratio of one Carbon atom for every two Hydrogen atoms and one Oxygen atom C1H2O1. Basically one carbon atom for every one water molecule Carbon + Water = Carbohydrate.
Monosaccharides or Single Carbon Chain Sugars include Glucose C6H12O6
Disaccharides or Double Carbon Chain Sugars include Sucrose C12H22O11
Combining monosaccharides and disaccharides create Polysaccharides which are complex sugars called starches.
